This tiny, attractive Sea Duck is a congener of the Goldeneyes; all 3 species are less marine than some in this Tribe. The Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola, is a widespread breeding bird in Canada and there are a few small colonies in the north-west USA. Their preferred breeding habitats are inland; small freshwater ponds among trees. Most winter on the sea, on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Vagrants have occasionally reached the British Isles.
It is another species we have recently added to our identification guide, where you can see all three Bucephala species.
Picture by Edward Giles, Events and Fundraising officer for the BWA.
